Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rio Rancho, NM Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rio Rancho, NM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,678 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,989 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,300 in Rio Rancho, NM, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than Rio Rancho, NM, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Rio Rancho, NM sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Rio Rancho, NM by 100%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$20.26 $20.26

3.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$78.6 $78.6

24.88%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.19 $12.19

-2.71%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$6.04 $6.04

-7.28%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 $3.07

$2.81 $2.81

9.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.86 $1.86

32.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.89 $5.89

21.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.92 $6.92

16.76%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.04 $1.04

0.96%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.92 $2.92

40.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.24 $3.24

73.15%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.44 $4.44

1.58%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.52 $12.52

13.98%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$15.56 $15.56

-4.31%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$19.45 $19.45

-1.34%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.56 $5.56

-7.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.64 $1.64

7.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.91 $3.91

12.28%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.36 $4.36

4.59%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.46 $2.46

3.25%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.57 $2.57

7.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.97 $1.97

22.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.39 $2.39

9.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$9.26 $9.26

61.12%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$16.05 $16.05

-7.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.74 $1.74

41.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.80 $2.80

33.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.94 $1.94

27.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$50.5 $50.5

49.31%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.06 $3.06

3.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$0.72 $0.72

97.22%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$28.98 $28.98

-13.94%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.77 $0.77

37.66%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.9K $31.9K

$31.1K $31.1K

2.53%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$29.3K $29.3K

-10.99%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$185 $185

$180 $180

2.68%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$44.70 $44.70

38.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$67.4 $67.4

-0.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.44 $42.44

77.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$18.07 $18.07

-18.59%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,020 $2,020

$1,101 $1,101

83.46%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$11.0K $11.0K

259.01%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$53.4 $53.4

20.95%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$57.8 $57.8

-9.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$88.9 $88.9

10.01%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$114 $114

29.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,619 $1,619

42.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,380 $1,380

15.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,655 $2,655

73.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,251 $2,251

23.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,854 $2,854

37.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,432 $2,432

7.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$6,376 $6,376

-18.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.49

1.69%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Rio Rancho, NM: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,619 in Rio Rancho, NM. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 22% higher in Rio Rancho, NM, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Rio Rancho, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $415 – making Rio Rancho, NM the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chicago, IL vs Rio Rancho, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,678 in Rio Rancho, NM – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,017 in Rio Rancho, NM. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rio Rancho, NM, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Rio Rancho, NM. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,678 in Rio Rancho, NM. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,678 in Rio Rancho, NM to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Rio Rancho, NM. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.